Politics

Motegi, Blinken to strengthen Japan-US alliance

Tokyo, Jan 27 (efe-epa).- Japan’s foreign affairs minister Toshimitsu Motegi and the new secretary of state of the United States, Antony Blinken, pledged Wednesday in a phone conversation to reinforce their security alliance.

Motegi and Blinken’s first talk at ministerial level came after the new secretary of state was confirmed to his post Tuesday.

The heads of diplomacy for the two countries indicated their intention to strengthen their bilateral security alliance and cooperation in other areas of mutual interest together with the international community, the Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement.

Motegi and Blinken reaffirmed the commitment of both countries in favor of a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” as the strategy promoted by Japan is known, to promote alliances in the region facing the military and economic strength of China, according to the statement.

Blinken also confirmed the US’ support for Tokyo in the defense of Japanese sovereignty over the Senkaku islands, disputed by China (where they are known as Diaoyu), within the framework of their bilateral security treaty.

They also addressed the situation in East Asia related to China and North Korea, which they assessed as being of increasing severity, and pledged to work more closely with South Korea, Australia and India, the main allies of Tokyo and Washington in the region, highlighted the ministry.

Both countries also aspire to intensify their collaboration in other areas such as the fight against climate change and measures against the coronavirus pandemic, the statement added. EFE-EPA

ahg/tw

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